NEWARK – The Devils play their first day game of the season Tuesday at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins, then have New Year’s Eve night for themselves.

Since Manhattan is right across the river from the Devils' Prudential Center home, maybe a few players will head to Times Square to see the ball drop.

Maybe not.

It seems a group of players will bring in the New Year by partying together at a Jersey hotel and others will simply stay home.

It also appears no one is headed to the Big Apple.

“No thank you,” Devils forward Cam Janssen said after Monday's practice. “Why would I want to go in there with that crowd? No way!

“I can watch it on TV. You can’t move. You can’t go to the bathroom. The drinking … I can’t stand that, especially when you’ve got your girl with you. You’re freezing cold. Go in there to see a ball drop? No! That does nothing for me.”

Goalie Cory Schneider, a first-season Devil after beginning his NHL career playing for Vancouver, feels the same about Times Square on New Year’s Eve.

“I’m staying away,” he said. “It looks fine on TV. I like a person individually, but I don’t know if I want to stand next to a million people.”

Janssen and his fiancé will attend the team party.

“We’ve got it all set up and we’ll just chill,” he said.

Marek Zidlicky will be chilling at home.

“I’m married,” the veteran defenseman said. “Enjoy the family.”

Before 2013 is over, the Devils have a tough work day ahead of them having to deal with Pittsburgh, which sits atop the Eastern Conference standings.

They’re excited this test will have a 1 p.m. opening faceoff, their first of just 5 day games this season.